Destroying a culture's historical documentary record can be a war crime. The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) obligates parties to safeguard cultural property, including art, manuscripts, museums, and large libraries, but unfortunately, the existence of the treaty has not stopped destruction and looting in this century's wars. The U.S. is the latest country to ratify the treaty -- in 2009.

Intentionally destroying books and libraries in order to suppress dissent or oppress a people has a long history, unfortunately continuing to the present. See: